A brief-yet-ongoing journal of all things Carmi. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll reach for your mouse to click back to Google. But you'll be intrigued. And you'll feel compelled to return following your next bowl of oatmeal. With brown sugar. And milk.

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Monday, January 21, 2008

Help! Shark!

Cruising overheadAtlanta, Georgia, January 2008 [Click to embiggen]

As we stood in this magical place, virtually surrounded by a world we had previously only read about, I found it difficult to decide what to look at first. Countless fish, including this shark, cruised silently and effortlessly, seemingly ignoring the thousands of air-breathers who fogged the windows as they traipsed through day after endless day.

I learned that day that aquarium photography is more challenging than skateboarding under the influence. Sure, it looks easy at first, but the sheer impossibility of accomplishing anything without leaving a figurative piece of yourself splattered on the ground soon becomes all too apparent. I'm glad I had a big memory card that day.

When I went to a conference in Minneapolis several years ago, I went to the aquarium in the Mall of America and was completely fascinated by these glass rooms where you walk underneath the "fish." To me, the most fascinating ones were the manatees.

We were at Underwater world on the sunshine coast (Australia) a few weeks ago and I know exactly what you mean about being surrounded by fish. There was no sun coming in from above so there was no beautiful light as there is in your shot.

After ooh-ing and ahh-ing three times through the aquarium on the moving floor - we gave up trying to get a photo - so am in awe of yours!

And a name 'Serenity' - because there is something peaceful and graceful in the shot.

And Anna - no that's not mean - that's practical! (otherwise you see nothing!)

Awesome photo. We have a walk-through aquarium at the Shark Reef Acquarium at Mandalay Bay. I've always been intrigued by sharks. I'm fascinated by their beauty, yet terrified by their predatory instinct. This was confirmed about ten years ago when I had a very close encounter with a Mako shark while surfing at San Onofre State Beach in Southern California. It was the most exhilarating and frightening experience.

Not sure about a name for him, but it is a gorgeous photo. We have visted several aquariums and in between being captivated by the big central tank with all the fish swiming around and around and around and around, I tried to take pics of them - none anywhere near as good as this one though.